Donnelly's decision contributes to voter cynicism

A hearty thank you to Opinion Editor Tim Swarens for his appraisal of Sen. Joe Donnelly's alleged epiphany on homosexual marriage in the April 6 Star. It is good to see The Star practice the free press' responsibility to hold elected officials accountable for what they do, especially if it contradicts what they professed to get elected.

The center paragraph of Swarens' editorial is critical because it addresses voter cynicism and apathy. Those of us engaged in the civil war for America's soul too often hear people say, "I don't vote or get involved in politics because all politicians are alike; they are all self-serving, egotistical liars whose only concern is getting elected and then re-elected." Swarens rightly cites this dangerous public perception as being aided and abetted by Donnelly's behavior. Swarens will hopefully expand on it in future writings.

History has shown that citizens who ignore their responsibility to study and vote intelligently are default accomplices of despots and dictators all too willing to accept that apathy as a blank check for whatever they want to do. Those irresponsible citizens validate Nineteenth-century English Philosopher Sir Edmund Burke's famous quotation, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a few good men to do nothing."

Bob Palma

Brownsburg

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Donnelly's decision contributes to voter cynicism

A hearty thank you to Opinion Editor Tim Swarens for his appraisal of Sen. Joe Donnelly's alleged epiphany on homosexual marriage in the April 6 Star.